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K.Gopalakrishnan,
Rama Janma Bhoomi issue 2. Rama Sethu issue. Both cases are pending with the Supreme Court of India. One concerning the Demolition of a Mogul structure-Babri Masjid, which was built over pre-existing Hindu Temple, by Hindu activists. The Other regarding the Attempt at the Destruction of an existing Hindu Religious and Heritage Structure-Rama Sethu, by the secularist Government of India. The Main controversy in both cases is whether Ramayana was a Mythology and Rama was a Mythological Figure or Ramayana is a Historical record of a Historical figure. So a Scientific analysis of all related Scientific Data is of paramount importance to arrive at proper conclusion.
1.
ASTRNOMICAL EVIDENCES
Specific Planetary Configurations will occur only once in many thousands of years. Many Ancient Hindus, even many Indians of today, are well versed in the traditional Vedic Astronomy and are producing Solar and Lunar based Hindu calendars every year for many centuries, depicting accurately movements of planets, dates & periods of different eclipses as well as places where they are visible etc. In Valmiki Ramayana precise Planetary Configurations are given during specific events in Ramas Life, on particular days (Tithies), Fortnights (Pakshas) and months of Indian Lunar Calendar. These configurations were verified and corroborated by the use of Vedic Astronomical computations by many Indian astronomers. The computed data, backwards from the present ,tallies very well sequentially with Valmiki Ramayana astronomical details, thus proving them to be Actual Recordings and not mere conjectures or figments of imagination.
HINDU COSMOLOGICAL DATING & SEA LEVEL CHANGES DURING MIOCENE-PLEISTOCENE TIMES
RESEARCH PAPER BY MALCOLM P.R.LIGHT HAS SHOWN AUTHENTICITY OF RAMAYAN WRITINGS AND CONSTRUCTION OF RAMA SETHU IN TRETA YUGA.
It has resisted the relentless erosion of the sea for almost 2 million years and it attests to the great engineering skills of the ancient Indian people. It is the earliest and largest carbon-fibre reinforced civil engineering structure known to man and should be protected as a world heritage site.
ANTHROPOLOGICAL EVIDENCES MIGRATION OF EARLY MAN, HOMO-ERECTUS FROM AFRICA TO S.INDIA IN TRTA YUGA
RESEARCHES BY D.JOSEPH AND G.P.EBERLI HAD INDICATD THAT HOMO-ERECTUS, THE EARLY MAN STARTED TO MOVE OUT OF AFRICA TO INDIA DURING 2.0 TO 1.8 MILLION YRS. AGO (IN TRETA YUGA). TRETA YUGA REPRESENTS A PRIOD OF RISING SEA LEVELS DURING WHICH HINDU COSMOLOGY SAID THAT THERE WAS INCREASED RAIN FALL AND FORMATION OF NEW RIVERS. DVAPURA YUGA IS A PERIOD OF FALLING SEA LEVEL, FOLLOWED BY A RISE AT THE BEGINNING OF KALI YUGA. ACCORDING TO JOSEPH AND EBERLI, ADAMS BRIDGE APPEARS TO HAVE BENN CONSTRUCTED BY SUCH HOMINIDS CONNECTING SOUTH INDIA AND SRI LANKA BETWEEN 1.8 AND 1.6 MILLION YRS. AGO IN TRETA YUGA, DURING A PERIOD OF SHARP SEA LEVEL FALL TO SOME 60 METERS BELOW THE PRESENT SEA LEVEL.
(Note this the age given at first by NASA for Rama Sethu Bridge)
BOTANICAL EVIDENCES
The research scientists from CPR Environmental Education Centre, Chennai, who undertook a journey from Ayodhya to Lanka to retrace the life of exile by Ram, Sita and Lakshman found all the plants, trees, flowers and fruits that have been mentioned by Valmiki in Ramayan. The accounts given by Valmiki about different landscapes, mountains, river basins and forests are accurate. When the Ramayan was being written, there were thick forests in Naimisharanya, Chitrakoot, Dandakaranya and Panchavati. The Kishkindha Kanda of Ramayan discusses the geographical distribution, botanical wealth and forestry. The places Ram chose to stay during his exile from Ayodhya were full of plants, vegetations and biodiversity. The poems contain all flora and fauna mentioned in Rig Veda. In Yuddha Kanda, Valmiki describes the Sanjeevani hill with exquisite medicinal plants and herbs, brought by Hanuman from the Himalayas to revive the fallen Lakshmana and others of vanara army by the Brahmaastra. A hillock named ROMOSOLA or SUMERU PARVAT within the tropical forests of Sri Lanka is reported to contain exquisite flora, fauna and medicinal plants. It stands distinct from the Lankan topography, giving credence to the theory that this is the hill that Hanuman brought from the Himalayas. Another small hillock with similar medicinal plants and herbs is reported from near Nagarkoil in Tamil Nadu. No such herbs and plants were seen in the surrounding areas in Kanyakumari district or in the nearby western ghats forests. The above hill is also thought to be a part of Sanjeevani parvat fallen during its transport.
ZOOLOGICAL EVIDENCES
Valmiki has mentioned in many places in Aranya Kanda regarding the existence of dense jungles full of lions and tigers, in Dandakaranya covering parts of the present-day Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The coexistence of the two cats in this region is hard to imagine now, as these areas are now the exclusive domain of only tigers and the lions are restricted elsewhere to the west in Girnar, Gujarat. The scientists from CPREEC point out that a corollary proof of such habitat in the past was found in the Bhimbedka caves in Madhya Pradesh that has 10,000-year-old wall carvings and paintings featuring lions and tigers together.
Rama was the 64th king of Surya Vansh. In various Hindu scriptures, the lineage of Rama through his 63 ancestors are traced and recorded. Also the names his 30 Descendants are also traced and recorded. SUCH A LONG LINEAGE IS BY ITSELF IS HISTORY & RAMA IS A HISTORICAL FIGURE AND NOT A MYTHOLOGICAL CHARACTER.
PURUKUTSA TRASADSYU SAMBUTA ANARANYA TRASADSVA HARYASVA 2 VASUMATA TRIDHANVAN TRAYYARUNA TRISHANKU SATYAVRATA HARISCHANDRA ROHITA HARITA, CANKU VIJAYA RURUKA VRKA BAHU (ASITA) SAGARA ASAMANJA AMSUMANT
DILIPA 1 BHAGIRATA SRUTA NABHAGA AMBARISA SINDHUDVIPA AGUTAYUS RTUPARNA SARVAKAMA SUDSASA MITRASAHA ASMAKA MULAKA SATARATHA AIDAVIDA VISVASAHA 1 DILIPA 2 DIRGHABAHU RAGHU AJA DASARATHA
AGNIVARNA SIGHRA MARU PARASURATA SUSANDHI AMARSA MAHASHWAT VISRUTAVANT BRIHADBALA BRIHATKSAYA
HISTORICAL EVIDENCES
References in Ancient Literatures2 ;Tamil Literature- (2)
Besides above ,Rama Sethu is referred in KALITTOGAI, PARIPAADAL, TOLKAPPIYAM (Purattinaiyaiyal/Purattirattu) & MANIMEKALAI. Ramayana and Rama Sethu are referred in later period Tamil literature also, such as in Appar and Thirujnana Sambandar Tevarams, Kalingattuparani, Periyashwar and Kodai Nachiyar Pasurams in Villiputtur Mahabharatham as well as in 15th century Sethu Puranam.
HISTORICAL EVIDENCES
References in Ramayanas
Valmiki describes the construction of Sethu in detail (85 shlokas). hastimaatraan mahaakaayaaH paaSaaNaamshca mahaabalaaH parvataamshca samutpaaTya yantraiH parivahanti ca Valmiki Ramayana 2-22-58. Vaanara having huge bodies, with mighty strength uprooted elephant-sized rocks and mountains and transported them by mechanical contrivances (yantraih). Kamba ramayanam in Tamil has a separate sarga called Setubandha padalam. Sethu is the water body in which Sri Rama purified himself from Brammahatti dosha on his return from Lanka after killing Ravana. It is located in the sea in Rameshwaram area near sethubandhanam. Rameswaram is called: Setubandha Rameswaram.
Three Buddhist Jatakas which form part of the Khuddaka-nikaya, third century BCE, deal with the Ram story, with minor variations. The Rama story finds mention in three early Buddhist texts, Dasharatha Kathanam (first-second century AD), Anamakam Jatakam and Dasharatha Jataka The Dasarath Jataka is set in Varanasi, not Ayodhya; however, Ram gives his sandals to Bharat to rule the kingdom on his behalf. The Nidana of the King of Ten Luxuries is lost, but survives in a Chinese translation by Kekaya in 472 CE. Similarly, the Anamaka Jataka or Jataka of the Unnamed King is preserved in Chinese translation by Sogdian monk Kan-Seng-hui in 251 CE. Sri Lanka has many sites associated with Ramayan. Its literary texts include Janakiharana by Kumaradasa, 7th century Even in other countries we can find versions of Ramayana, like the Tibetan Ramayana, Turkistan's Khotani Ramayana, Indonesia's Kakbin Ramayana, Java's Seratram, Sairiram, Ramkeling, Patani Ramkatha; Indo-China's Ramkerti (Ramkirti), Khamer Ramayana; Burma's Ramyagan of Yuto; Thailand's Ramkiyen etc all narrate the story of Ram in a picturesque way. Scholars also believe that Homer's Illiad and the Dionysia of poet Nonus of Rome have surprising similarities with our Ramayana.
In Vietnam, a nation predominantly under the ancient Chinese influence, one can see Rama and Krishna, although there is no local version of the Ramayana. In central Vietnam, which was known as the Hindu kingdom of Champa for over 1500 years, there are a large number of Hindu temples, some of them have an unbroken tradition of worship, dating back to a thousand years.
RAMAYANA AS AN INSPIRATION
. In all these foreign countries as well as in all parts of India, generations of people are influenced continuously for centuries and Ramayana is depicted in all forms of arts such as literature, dance , drama, music, paintings and sculptures. Ramayana is popular even today not only in various parts of India, but in Sri Lanka and other Southeast Asian countries, most of which are practicing other religions such as Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and even no-religion (communism). So this popularity is not based on religion (Hinduism), or due to literary merit (poetry or story telling). The sustained popularity of Ramayana in all these countries with different religious beliefs and varied culture should be attributed to a more Strong Psychological reasoning.
Rama was an embodiment of Dharma and lived a life of noble human being, a dutiful son, loving husband, protector of rishis, tribals and animals from Rakshasa, treating all beings and human beings as equals, compassionate towards animals and birds, valiant but considerate even with his enemies during war etc. Only these noble qualities of Rama had inspired all people from different cultures and religions to revere him for centuries. NO MYTHOLOGICAL CHARACTER, OTHER THAN A MAN LIVED OR LIVING,
CAN BE INSPIRATION FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE OF VARIED RELIGIONS, LANGUAGES AND CULTURE FOR SUCH A PROLONGED PERIOD. This fact itself will
prove beyond any doubt the historicity of Rama and Ramayana.
A 19th century painting depicting a scene from Ramayana, wherein monkeys are shown building a bridge to Lanka (on right)
The ape-army building the bridge. Illustration by Balasaheb Pandit Pant Pratinidhi from a 1916 edition of the Ramayana epic
In The Ramanathapuram District Gazetteer published by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1972, Mu. Karunanidhi, the then Chief Minister writes a foreword and praises the contents as the most valuable and important document for the general public. The book refers to Rama Setu (as also called Adams bridge or Nala Setu). The Rajas of Ramanathapuram are traditionally called sethupathis Protectors and Guardians of Sethu / Rama sethu.
PURANIC INDIA
Schwartzbergs Atlas-p.27- The Historical Atlas of South Asia, The university of Chicago Press, 1978
Islamic expansion and changing Western views of South Asia, 7th-12th centuries (Al-Birunis record) Schwartzberg Atlas, v. , p. 33.
Map drawn by Joseph Banks, Australian Botanical explorer (1788) with J.Rennell shows Ramar Bridge (Map in Sarasvati Mahal Lib., Thanjavur),
Malabar Bowen map (1747) drawn by Netherlands shows Ramarcoil I (that is, Rama temple).
THE LOGO DEPICTS THE EXTENT OF INDIA TO BE FROM SETHU TO HIMACHALAM (RAMA SETHU TO HIMALAYAS) SINCE 1767
On the Sri Lankan side, there are indications of Human habitations extending to Late Pleistocene (BCE 13,000), based on fossils of bones of human and animal forms.
All these point to flourishing Human activity on both sides of Rama Sethu during the period of Ramayana.
Parantaka Chola copper plate (10th cent.) (Nagaswamy R. 1979. Thiruttani and Velanjeri Copper Plates. State Dept. Of Archaeology, Tamilnadu. Madras.
Vaanara Sena carrying stones, in their arms and on their heads, to build Rama Setu, followed by Sri Rama, carrying a sword. Fish and other sea creatures handling stones from Rama's bridge to Lanka, during the construction of Nala Setu (Rama Setu). Source: http://www.learnnc.org/lp/multimedia/2616
GEOGRAPHICAL EVIDENCES 1
(Initial Trip with Sage Viswamitra)
Rama went out of Ayodhya in his childhood (13th Year)along with Rishi Viswamitra and returned after marrying Sita. The places visited by Rama during this phase of his life are described in Valmiki Ramayana 23 of these places are traced on ground today which have memorials for Rama ,commemorating the events connected. Some of these include Shringi Ashram, Tadka Van, Siddhashram, Gautam Ashram, Janakpur (now in Nepal), Sita Kund etc.
GEOGRAPHICAL EVIDENCES - 3
RAMAS ROUTE TO LANKA
Rama, Lakshmana and Sita left Ayodhya and went to Sringaverapura modern Sringverpur in Uttar Pradesh - where they crossed the River Ganga. They lived on Chitrakoot hill where Bharata and Shatrughna met them and the brothers performed the last rites for their father. Thereafter, the three wandered through Dandakaranya in Central India, described as a land of Rakshasas, obviously tribes inimical to the brothers' habitation of their land. Tribals are still found in these forests. The trio reached Nasik, on the River Godavari, which has sites such as Tapovan where they lived, Ramkund where Rama and Sita used to bathe, Lakshmankund, Lakshmana's bathing area, and several caves in the area associated with their lives in the forest. Rama then moved to Panchavati where Ravana abducted Sita. The dying Jatayu told them of the abduction, so they left in search of Sita. Kishkinda, near Hampi, where Rama first met Sugriva and Hanuman, is a major Ramayana site. Anjanadri, near Hospet, was the birthplace of Hanuman (Anjaneya); Sugriva lived in Rishyamukha on the banks of the Pampa (Tungabhadra); Sabari probably also lived in a hermitage there. Rama and the Vanara army left Kishkinda to reach Rameshwaram, where the Vanaras built a bridge to Lanka from Dhanushkodi to Talaimannar in Sri Lanka.
Due to these reasons, Rama Sethu can be declared as an International Geographical Heritage Site and protected.
The book Images India by NRSA, Dept. of Space, states that Satellite Images reveal an ancient bridge between India and Sri Lanka in Palk Straights and archaeological Studies have revealed the bridge to date back to about 1,75,000 years. Its Structure suggests that it may be Man-made. (This book is tabled in Parliament in December,2007)
GEOTECTONIC EVIDENCES
1.
Tectonism means Movements (Activities) within Earth. These activities will be manifested differently on Surface As Faults Planes along which blocks of Earth will move vertically or horizontally or obliquely producing Uplifts and Subsidences. 2. As Sciesmic Activities producing Earthquakes. 3. As Volcanic Activities producing Vocanic Eruptions. 4. As Disturbances in Oceans producing Tsunamies.
A yacht was traveling in the south Pacific when the crew came across a weird sight. Look at these photos and try to imagine the thrill of experiencing this phenomenon
A BEACH?
SPECTACLE - 2
Then this was spotted, ash & steam rising from the ocean..
A plume of black ash... HUGE CLOUD COVERING RED EVEN THIS FAR AWAY
THEN THE SKY TURNS BLACK WITH ASH AND THE OCEAN GOLD WITH SUNS REFLECTION
NOTE TENTATIVE SEPARATION OF INDIAN PLATE & BURMA MICRO-PLATE FROM CENTRAL INDIAN-OCEAN RIDGE
NOTE THE N-S TRENDING 90 E RIDGE AND THE CHAGOSLACCADIVES RIDGE ORIGINATING FROM SE. INDIAN OCEAN RIDGE
Relationships Between N-S & NE-SW Fault Systems From SE-Indian Ocean Ridge & Carlsberg Ridge
EMERGENCE & SUBMERGENCE OF VOLCANOES OFF-SHORE OF PONDICHERRY & KAKINADA IN BAY OF BENGAL
HORST-GRABEN (RIDGESDEPRESSIONS) STRUCTURES IN CAUVERY SEDIMENTARY BASIN, TAMIL NADU. Note the important MandapamDelft high 4 major Deep Crustal Fault Systems which control the above structures (Both on-shore&Off-shore). NNE-SSW to NE-SW, NW-SE, E-W and N-S
Neo-Tectonic Activity along NW-SE to WNW-ESE Fault in Rameswaram - Dhanushkodi Island During 1948-49
Neo-Tectonic Activity along NW-SE to WNW-ESE Fault in Rameswaram - Dhanushkodi Island During 1948-49
GEOTHERMAL SIGNATURES Heat-Flow Map of India Note High Heat flow around Rama Sethu
EMERGENCE & SUBMERGENCE OF VOLCANOES OFF-SHORE OF PONDICHERRY & KAKINADA IN BAY OF BENGAL
A recent press report says that Smithsonian Institute, USA had identified buried volcanoes in the Bay of Bengal region from their research, corraborating the earlier reports.
EARTH MOVEMENTS AND RISE OF HILLS FROM OCEANEvidence from Sundara Kandam - 1
SLOKAM-15 (SARGAM-1;SUNDARAKANDAM) DESCRIBES THAT DUE TO PRESSURE EXERTED BY HANUMAN PRELUDE HIS FLIGHT TO LANKA, THE NORMALLY IMMOVABLE MAHENDRAGIRI SHOOK FOR A SHORT DURATION AND FRACTURED AT PLACES. THIS DESCRIPTION REFLECTS THE HIGHLY STABLE NATURE OF MAHENRDAGIRI MADE UP OF HARD PRECAMBRIAN CRYSTALLINE ROCKS FORMING THE CONTINENTAL EDGE. THE SHORT DURATION SHAKING PROBABLY REFLECTS AN EARTHQUAKE. SLOKAM-17 DESCRIBES SPRINGS OF WATER GUSHING OUT OF FRACTURES FORMED.
THE INITIAL SLOKAS DETAILING HANUMANS FLIGHT FROM MAHENDRAGIRI TO LANKA DESCRIBE DISTINCT CYLONIC AND TIDAL WAVE CONDITIONS IN THE OCEAN. (SLOKAMS50-65;73,77-84,88;SARGAM-1;SUNDARAKANDAM). IT IS WELL KNOWN THAT FREQUENT CYCLONES ARE KNOWN FROM GULF OF MANNAR AND RAMESWARAM AREAS EVEN TODAY. Such descriptions of significant Geographical phenomenon in Potential area can not come from the imagination of a poet. SLOKAM 88(SARGAM-1; SUNDARAKANDAM) MENTIONS ABOUT FORMATION OF DEEP VALLEY WITHIN OCEAN ALONG THE DIRECTION OF FLIGHT. IT PROBABBLY DESCRIBES A FAULT-SUBSIDENCE IN THAT PLACE, SIMILAR TO DHANUSHKODI FAULT.
EARTH MOVEMENTS AND RISE OF HILLS FROM OCEANEvidence from Sundara Kandam - 2
LATER VARUNA REQUESTED MYNAKA PARVATHAM (HIRANYANABHAM) TO RISE FROM THE DEPTHS OF OCEAN TO OFFER A PLACE OF REST FOR HANUMAN DURING FLIGHT. HE DESCRIBES THE CAPABILITY OF MYNAKA TO GROW BOTH VERICALLY AND ACROSS (PROBABY LATERALLY ALSO), (SLOKAM-103;SARGAM-1; SUNDARAKANDAM), INDICATING A FAULT UPLIFT (HORST) ACROSS THE PATH OF HANUMAN. THIS HORST MAY REFER TO THE MANDAPAM-DELFT HIGH ON ONGC MAP WHILE RETURNING FROM LANKA ALSO, HANUMAN IS REPORTED TO HAVE RESTED ON SUNAABHAM HILL MIDWAY ACROSS THE OCEAN. (SLOKAM.13; SARGAM-57; SUNDARA KANDAM). THIS SUNABHAM MAY REFER TO HIRANYANABHAM (MYNAKAM) OR ANOTHER UPLIFTED HILL SIMILAR TO MYNAKA PARVATHAM. Such descriptions of significant GEOTECTONIC phenomenon in Potential area can not come from the imagination of a poet.
Similar Horst-Graben tectonism experienced on west coast of Sri Lanka upto Boundary Fault
All these Pro-government geoscientists had not given any vertical section of Rama Sethu. They had not also stated anywhere what type of Man-made structure or Bridge they searched and NOT FOUND in Rama Sethu area. Did they search for any remnants of Steel and Cement or Lime, Mortar and Bricks ONLY there?
Many of the geographical and some geological descriptions of Valmikis writings are found to be accurate with the present day features, denoting the veracity and authenticity of his writings and establishing Ramayana as a historical fact Aya Mukha Parvatha and Cauvery river, Tambraparani river, Agasthiya Malai, Mahendragiri and ocean waves, Floating Stones of bridge etc. As such his descriptions of Rama Sethu should also be authentic.
TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF RAMA SETHU CONSTRUCTION (Valmiki Ramayana Yuddha Kanda-Sarg.22;Slokas 45-73
The army men of Shri Rama utilized various tools and implements for uprooting trees like Taar, coconut, mango, ashoka, bakul etc., and with the help of various yantras transported these trees, stones, and rocks to the seashore. Shilpakar Nal directed the army men to stand with long ropes/chains on either side and filled the space in between with creepers, trees, stones and bound them together. The construction of Rama Sethu was completed in 5 days by connecting existing land route consisting of islands, rocks and shoals. See the Boundaries looking like ropes & the fillings in between.
Nalan, the builder of Rama Sethu comes from the lineage of Vishwakarma, the architect of the Devas. In Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, there exists even today a Vishwakarma Clan, who are associated with temple architecture.
Does Ramas Bridge Exist? Geographical, Geological & Geoarchaeological perspectives Contd..
Valmikis description of Ramas bridge clearly states that it was built with rock boulders, earth and trees, over the pre-existing loose beach sand and other marine sediments in the seas. Thus it was a rock and earth fill structure supported by logs of wood. In all probability, this temporary structure would not have withstood the fury of the ocean during a period of over 7000 years since Ramayana and would have been completely destroyed and removed. It is possible that some portions of this structure might have been preserved in rare cases where it was covered by later marine sediments and protected from destruction and erosion. Boreholes drilled along and across RS/AB feature by NIOT and SSCP have indicated that within the top 8 to 18m, two layers of loose marine sand sediments, separated by a central zone are encountered in RS/AB. NIOT describes the central zone to be made up of boulders and pebbles of varied composition, such as calcareous sandstone, shelly limestone and corals and interprets it to be not due to any natural phenomenon, but probably due to human activity.
Most important aspect is that these boulder conglomerate beds can not be formed either by marine or fluvial processes along sea shores or river mouths.
Unless all the above investigations and studies are carried out, the existence of the remnants of Ramas bridge over the RS/AB feature cannot be conclusively disproved.
WHY GANDHIJI UTTERED HEY RAM- NOT HARE RAM AS HIS LAST WORDS ?
RAMA BROKE THE MIGHTY SHIVA DHANUSH & GOT MARRIED TO SITA THE SECULAR GOVERNMENT OF INDIA TRIES TO BREAK THE MIGHTIER RAMA DHANUSH (RAMASETHU) FOR DESTROYING HISTORICAL HINDU CULTURAL , GEOGRAPHICAL & GEOLOGICAL HERITAGE SITE. SEE THE SHAPE OF RAMA SETHU A DHANUSH !!!
THE LINE OF VOLCANIC VENTS PROBABLY FORM RAMA BHAANA !!!